Thursday, May 31, 2012

The cabin

Last Friday we packed our bags and set out on our first trip to the cabin this summer.  We started out late in hopes of missing some of the traffic.  We were doing great until we hit the construction zone.  Unfortunately that set our total trip time back to 3 1/2 hours.  Fortunately, Ava slept for half that time.  She slept until about 9:30, when she opened her eyes she said, "look at all those lights".  Unfortunately, most of them were brake lights.  She got her second wind and was ready to rock and roll when we arrived to the cabin at 10:45.  She made sure to wake up Mema & Boppa so that they knew she was there.  After a few stories she went down for the night. 

Saturday morning Daddy headed out on the lake early to fish with our neighbor Jeremy.  He came home telling the tale of a big fish.  So, we all went over to see the "big fish" (that Jeremy caught, not Daddy).  After that, the rain began.  It rained  on and off throughout the day.  The boys did manage to get the pontoon lift in, and we then all headed over to the public access to put the pontoon in and take our first boat ride of the year.  Daddy had brought popcorn for the ride.  Ava now thinks that every time that we go on a boat ride, popcorn is a must.  That's ok, food is usually a must for us when we go out on the pontoon.

We woke up to thunderstorms on Sunday morning.  Daddy, Ava, and I made pancakes and sausage for breakfast.  That girl can house her pancakes!  We got a little play time in outside before we packed up to head home.  I had to work on Memorial Day so I had to come home early.  Daddy and Ava decided to join me since the weather was not very nice. 

Tuesday Nate and I went out in search for a house...no success.  It was a crappy day at work for the both of us, we did not find a house, but we came home with something...a "Sold" sign.  Good news, our appraisal came back at exactly what we needed it to.  Therefore, our house is officially sold!  The buyers wanted to close at the end of June, but since we're still homeless (Ava and I went and looked again today) we'll be closing at the end of July to give us a little more time.  I've got pictures of Ava and Daddy with the sign that I'll post next time. 


This is what Ava wanted to wear as we packed for the cabin.   I think she likes her new cabin hat.  She also loves to wear her backpack around.  I think that it makes her feel like Dora.
 Watering her flower that she and Mema planted
 Swinging on the big girl swing

Ava & Janna getting ready to get on the boat for the maiden voyage of the year


Ava checking out all the controls.  She takes her job as co-captain very seriously
Enjoying some popcorn and snuggle time
As you can see by the fact that Ava has on a sweatshirt and a raincoat, the weather left a bit to be desired
Enjoying a little story time.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Weekend with Grandma

This past weekend Daddy left for his "trip"  He left Thursday evening with "the guys" for his annual golf weekend to Giants Ridge.  It was just Ava and me until Friday evening when Grandma Becker showed up.  She met us in Apple Valley where Ava and I were checking out a model home.  She got there just in time...Ava was being a bit "busy" to put it nicely.  Grandma and Ava played so that I was able to discuss a few options with the lady working there.  Yes, we are still homeless come the end of July.  The buyers of our place have graciously offered us the option of closing at the end of July rather than June.  Considering we have no idea where we're going to be, we took them up on the offer.  I'm praying that we'll find something soon!

Saturday brought us beautiful weather so we headed out to the Como Zoo as soon as it opened.  Ava has not yet stopped talking about all the animals that she saw.  She had such a great time.  I think that her favorite was the polar bear, coming in just ahead of the giraffes.  We'll be going back there again soon.  We headed home for nap time, and then took a trip to the mall for the rest of the evening.  After dinner we all crashed.

Sunday morning we stayed in, had pancakes and smoothies for breakfast per Ava's request, and played.  We later went over to Plymouth to show Grandma a model home that we like (no, we're not moving to Plymouth).  We picked up some Chipotle for lunch and headed home.  The weather was rainy, cold, and windy so Daddy and the guys decided to forgo golfing that day and head home.  Ava was very excited to see him when he walked in the door.  Shortly after lunch Grandma had to head home.  We thank her for coming!  We had a lot of fun, and I really appreciated the extra help and company over the weekend.

This week has been filled with work and house hunting.  We'll be heading up to the cabin for the weekend (a short weekend for me since I work Monday).  Hopefully it will be a fun, relaxing weekend.  Wishing you all a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Grandma & Ava getting ready to head into the zoo.  Ava is grinning ear to ear!
Sitting back and enjoying the ride
Checking out the buffalo


She was mesmerized by the polar bear who kept jumping in the water and swimming by
Shaking the penguins hand and saying "nice to meet you"


Ava, Mommy, & Grandma
Even though her face may not show it, she asked to ride on the giraffe.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

What an exciting week

It has been a very busy and exciting week.  Two Fridays ago we met with our realtor and signed papers to put our house on the market.  Last weekend Mema & Boppa were nice enough to stay home from the cabin to help us actually get the house ready.  It's amazing how much crap you accumulate in your house that you never use.  Needless to say, there were two large garbage cans fulls and multiple boxes sent to Goodwill.  We took down lots of pictures and "depersonalized" the place as much as we felt comfortable.  I still wanted it to feel like our home.  After a long day of cleaning, packing, throwing away, and some take out chinese we were all exhausted.  We finished up a few things on Sunday, and the photographer came on Monday to take pictures.  It actually feels nice to be living in a very clean and organized house.  :) 

The house went on the market sometime Wednesday, and we had our first two showings on Friday afternoon.  By Friday evening we were told that an offer had been sent to our realtor, and that the other people would be submitting an offer on Saturday.  WOW...who would have thought?!?  We got both offers by yesterday afternoon, and signed an agreement last evening.  God is good!!!  Now we are just praying that the appraisal of our house comes back at the purchase price.  We will most likely not know anything until next week.  We would be closing at the end of June, but have the option to stay here until the end of July if we have not found something.  I'm hoping that the "perfect place" pops up on the market very soon.  We never expected things to move along this quickly, and are so grateful (and a little overwhelmed I have to admit).  I will breath a little easier and be even more excited once we get the appraisal done. 

We did find some time to have a little fun this past week between the house stuff and working.  Ava and I got to have a play date with Cora and Kristi.  Ava loves Miss Cora, and spends a lot of time calling her on her pretend phone.  We spent a gorgeous morning at the park and had some lunch before we went our separate ways for nap time.  It was so great to see them and catch up.  Thanks for a fabulous morning ladies!

This week will be pretty low key, as I'm working 4 out of 5 days (for some silly reason I picked up a Friday shift for somebody).  So, Ava will be spending some quality time with her friends at day care.  Uncle Wes & Janna will be coming over next Saturday for their first adventure in babysitting.  We have our friends Brian & Marissa's wedding, so they are on babysitting duty.  Say a little prayer for Ava.  :)

Helping Mommy do a little baking.  Ava has become quite the little helper
I would love just one picture where both girls are looking at the camera.  This is the best I could do.  Cora was such a lover and so full of hugs this day.  So sweet (and how cute are those pigtails of hers)!
She loved playing on a new playground
Ava spends hours concocting new ice cream combinations and sharing them with everybody.  Great gift Janna!
What could be more comfy than enjoying a nice book in the laundry basket?